According to the World Health Organisation, substances that are added to food to maintain or improve the safety, freshness, taste, texture or appearance of food are known as food additives. For centuries, food additives have been used to preserve food, for example salt (in meat, bacon or dried fish), sugar (in marmalade) or sulphur dioxide (in wine).
The rise of health-conscious consumers has led to an increase in the availability of organic and artisanal breads, which often avoid common additives in favor of traditional baking methods. These types of bread typically contain fewer ingredients and can offer a more authentic taste experience.